Tai Chi

Sitting and bending? It’s not so simple for seniors suffering from the ailments of age.

Serge “Moose” Azzolini, 76, of Kimberly offers a bit of relief in the form of a unique — and unpredictable — exercise for seniors.

For more than 60 years, the retired Marine has been involved in martial arts. Following tai chi in Vietnam, China, Korea and Japan, he found that the low-impact Chinese martial art can help seniors’ overall well-being.

“It teaches a better way to breathe,” he said. “The target is to improve balance, overall health, circulation, breathing and range of motion for joints — specifically relaxation and concentration.”

Azzolini began teaching tai chi at Kimberly’s Ageless Senior Center more than a year ago.

“Taekwondo, karate, those ‘harder’ forms train the outer warrior,” he said. “Tai chi trains the inner warrior.”

The free class is 9:30-10:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Ageless, 310 Main St. N. Azzolini adapted a variety of movements to create tai chi specifically for seniors.

“It has often been described as yoga in motion or kung fu in slow motion,” Azzolini said. “I teach by demonstration.”

What can you expect?Slow, steady movements using legs to balance the torso and arms to steady the body. While teaching, Azzolini describes the effects the movements have on breathing and blood flow.

Participant Annie Bradley, 84, said the past year’s tai chi benefited her in many ways.

“I have a bad foot so I can’t really do a lot,” she said. “But you know with arthritis and everything we (seniors) can have trouble sleeping, and I found myself in that same boat. Moose just kept saying ‘remember what to do’ and before long, I was out.”

Comparing traditional forms of exercise to tai chi, the seniors who attend the class said one thing stands out: relaxation.

“I’ve tried other types of exercise classes and they’re too hard on me,” said Wilma Smith, 82, who has varicose veins and arthritis in her knees. “This is a lot more relaxing.”

Jessie Wilcox, 79, of Kimberly, a friend of Bradley, joined the class at her friend’s encouragement.

“This is so much easier. It’s not so stressful,” she said. “I suffer from joint pain and a sciatic nerve.”

Wilcox said tai chi has helped her sleep.

“Sitting and bending isn’t something we used to have to think about,” said Janet Houfburg, 81. “In this we learn how to balance and how to totally relax. Going gung-ho in regular classes isn’t good for us. It just makes our muscles and bones stiff.”

Azzolini credits the success of his class to his lessons of proper breathing techniques and balance.

“I teach a better way to breathe and it all helps improve circulation in the blood to extremely vital organs,” Azzolini said. “It’s amazing to see the seniors performing tai chi, to see their movements coordinated with their breathing; it’s pure elegance.”